are still living as follows : Lidia, Milos, Ladic, Charles, Lumer, George, William and Erma.
Mr. Olsan is fraternally identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Homesteaders and Yeomen of America. Ever since he acquired the right of suffrage through naturalization he has cast his ballot for the republican party, feeling that the policy of that organization best subserves the interests of the majority by its principle of protection. During his period of residence in Story county his life has met all the requirements of good citizenship, and he is well worthy of the regard awarded him in the community.
ELMER F. BIDDLE.
Elmer F. Biddle, one of the well known stockmen of Story county, who is now serving as clerk of Grant township, was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 30th of May, 1869, a son of Dorrel F. and Rebecca (Lambert) Biddle. His parents were both natives of the Buckeye state. His father was born in 1836 and after he had acquired an education decided to become a farmer. He was very successful in his work, and particularly in his specialty, which was the raising and feeding of stock, accumulating a nice competency and considerable valuable property. He was always identified with the republican party and was very active in politics, holding many of the minor offices in his locality.
Mr. and Mrs. D. F. Biddle were the parents of six children: Melissa, who married William Merna, of Bloomington, Illinois; Maywood, who is also married and is living in South Dakota; Edna, the widow of D. C. Fletcher; Elmer F., our subject; Pearl J., who is married and is living in Bloomington, Illinois; and Wilmer O., also a resident of Bloomington. The mother passed away November 3, 1901, and the father survived until the 21st of December, 1906.
Elmer F. Biddle received his preliminary education in the common schools of McLean county, Illinois, and later went to Danville for one year for a more advanced course. His early years were quite similar to those of the majority of youths reared in the country. When he had reached the age when it was time for him to lay aside his textbooks and assume the more practical duties of life he assisted his father up to the age of twenty-two years. At that time he bought one hundred and thirty-six acres of land in partnership with his brother Maywood and followed cooperative farming for a time. Later he sold his interest to his brother and cultivated rented land for a time. He then bought eighty acres, upon which he lived until he came to Story county in 1898. The first year after his removal here he rented land but very soon after his arrival bought one hundred and sixty acres. He has since added one hundred and sixty acres